With the NASCAR season complete, many race fans will fall into their motorsports hibernation pattern, and others will refocus onto football, basketball, or hockey. However, there are still many compelling storylines and changes coming that deserve attention, heading into the 2015 NASCAR offseason.
Four to Follow: Stories to Track in the 2015 NASCAR Offseason
Franchising a Reality?
One of the stories that broke during the 2015 season that remains unresolved is the idea proposed by Rob Kauffman and the Race Team Alliance of a franchising model for ownership. This plan, currently still in the discussion phase with NASCAR brass, would have major implications on how teams prepare for and what teams remain for the 2016 Sprint Cup campaign.
Already Leavine Family racing has put their decisions on 2016 on hold until this latest development is resolved. But with December and the holiday season already underway, the question becomes will the series have enough time to implement this new strategy.
The Future of the Truck Series
After a season where a rookie was crowned champion of the Camping World Truck Series, Erik Jones and many others will be on the move. He and Brandon Jones are on their way up to the Xfinity Series, while others including William Byron, Christopher Bell, and ARCA champion Grant Enfinger move in to take their places. Other drivers are switching teams, including Johnny Sauter to GMS Racing.
With so many moving parts, there are those without firm plans for 2016 rides as well. Will standouts like Cameron Hayley and Austin Theriault find a place to land, or stay with their original teams? But more importantly, who among the young guns and seasoned veterans becomes the future of the Trucks?
Front Row Moves to the Front?
Following a report from Motorsport in November, rumors have swirled about the future of Front Row Motorsport’s association with Ford, and a potential move to be a Richard Childress Racing affiliate. The move would be logical, considering that two of RCR’s developmental drivers, Brian Scott and Ty Dillon, are looking hard for ways to enter the Cup Series. At least one of them will bring funding along, which could be much needed for a team that has struggled to attract sponsors. This ongoing saga, however, should be cleared up once the haulers pull into Daytona in February.
Boys Have At It…No More?
Four famous words uttered by Robin Pemberton may be forgotten now. The Vice President of Competition for NASCAR is leaving the sport at the end of the year, and will be replaced by former crew chief Scott Miller. Fans may wonder whether or not anything will change in the product seen on the track with Pemberton’s departure, but important is the legacy Pemberton leaves behind. Coming from Ford Racing to NASCAR’s brass, and helping to develop the Gen 6 car, updated tech inspection technology, and the quickly growing NASCAR R&D Center, Pemberton leaves big shoes for Miller to try and fill.
What stories for this NASCAR offseason are you following? Tell us what stories you want to know more about and we may present more information on those stories in an upcoming article.
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